Nicole Gerlach
@ngerlach.bsky.social
Behavioral ecologist, evolutionary organismal biologist (birds, other verts, & critters in general), & educator. Aspiring Ms. Frizzle. Avid reader. Seeker of tiny moments of joy and magic. she/her.
Comments, opinions, & photos my own.
Comments, opinions, & photos my own.
I’m wearing a new pair of sexually dimorphic earrings today, and the desire to have them facing each other is warring with the voice in my head insisting that “ladies go on the LEFT!” (our mnemonic for which of a bird’s legs gets the numbered silver band.)
November 13, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I’m wearing a new pair of sexually dimorphic earrings today, and the desire to have them facing each other is warring with the voice in my head insisting that “ladies go on the LEFT!” (our mnemonic for which of a bird’s legs gets the numbered silver band.)
Hmm, goombas do kind of have fangs…
November 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Hmm, goombas do kind of have fangs…
*sighs in zoology professor*
November 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
*sighs in zoology professor*
#LocalVertDiversity 31. Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
Not the most illustrative picture, I know (adults are slaty blue with maroon-tinted necks and heads, not that you can tell that here). I usually see them much more frequently, but somehow this is the only one I've found this semester. 🪶
Not the most illustrative picture, I know (adults are slaty blue with maroon-tinted necks and heads, not that you can tell that here). I usually see them much more frequently, but somehow this is the only one I've found this semester. 🪶
November 10, 2025 at 5:23 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 31. Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
Not the most illustrative picture, I know (adults are slaty blue with maroon-tinted necks and heads, not that you can tell that here). I usually see them much more frequently, but somehow this is the only one I've found this semester. 🪶
Not the most illustrative picture, I know (adults are slaty blue with maroon-tinted necks and heads, not that you can tell that here). I usually see them much more frequently, but somehow this is the only one I've found this semester. 🪶
Old pictures of two of my local favorites, the Manatee Treesnail (Antidrymaeus dormani), which is endemic to FL, and the Rosy Wolfsnail (Euglandina rosea), a predator of other snails. 🐌
November 9, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Old pictures of two of my local favorites, the Manatee Treesnail (Antidrymaeus dormani), which is endemic to FL, and the Rosy Wolfsnail (Euglandina rosea), a predator of other snails. 🐌
#LocalVertDiversity 30. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Like the squirrel, this is another species that I see pretty much every day, but didn't realize until a month into the semester that I should take a picture of it so it could count towards my list.
Like the squirrel, this is another species that I see pretty much every day, but didn't realize until a month into the semester that I should take a picture of it so it could count towards my list.
November 6, 2025 at 7:54 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 30. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Like the squirrel, this is another species that I see pretty much every day, but didn't realize until a month into the semester that I should take a picture of it so it could count towards my list.
Like the squirrel, this is another species that I see pretty much every day, but didn't realize until a month into the semester that I should take a picture of it so it could count towards my list.
Here's the slide I made when we were online during COVID, but it's so much more fun to make students do it in person. Once full-speed, then once in slow-mo so you can talk about what's happening at each step.
I think it's one of the best teaching brainwaves (ha!) that I've ever had.
I think it's one of the best teaching brainwaves (ha!) that I've ever had.
November 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Here's the slide I made when we were online during COVID, but it's so much more fun to make students do it in person. Once full-speed, then once in slow-mo so you can talk about what's happening at each step.
I think it's one of the best teaching brainwaves (ha!) that I've ever had.
I think it's one of the best teaching brainwaves (ha!) that I've ever had.
#LocalVertDiversity 29. Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)
Marsh rabbit range overlaps with cottontails, but they’ve got stubbier ears and limbs, and are supposedly good swimmers.
This little buddy was feeling bold that day! Helps that the dog was asleep in another room.
#wildlife #mammal 🐇
Marsh rabbit range overlaps with cottontails, but they’ve got stubbier ears and limbs, and are supposedly good swimmers.
This little buddy was feeling bold that day! Helps that the dog was asleep in another room.
#wildlife #mammal 🐇
November 3, 2025 at 5:08 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 29. Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)
Marsh rabbit range overlaps with cottontails, but they’ve got stubbier ears and limbs, and are supposedly good swimmers.
This little buddy was feeling bold that day! Helps that the dog was asleep in another room.
#wildlife #mammal 🐇
Marsh rabbit range overlaps with cottontails, but they’ve got stubbier ears and limbs, and are supposedly good swimmers.
This little buddy was feeling bold that day! Helps that the dog was asleep in another room.
#wildlife #mammal 🐇
November 2, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Wishing everyone a very batty Halloween! 🦇🦇🦇
November 1, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Wishing everyone a very batty Halloween! 🦇🦇🦇
Duolingo, un ver de terre n’est pas un insecte! Tous les invertébrés ne sont pas des insectes!
I almost flagged it, but there’s no option for “your biology is terribly incorrect.”
I almost flagged it, but there’s no option for “your biology is terribly incorrect.”
October 31, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Duolingo, un ver de terre n’est pas un insecte! Tous les invertébrés ne sont pas des insectes!
I almost flagged it, but there’s no option for “your biology is terribly incorrect.”
I almost flagged it, but there’s no option for “your biology is terribly incorrect.”
Some fossils I include in my Vertebrate Biodiversity lectures because they're important for understanding the evolutionary history of a group.
Other fossils (like this shark tooth embedded in the spine of a Pteranodon) I include because they're awesome as hell.
source: doi.org/10.7717/peer...
Other fossils (like this shark tooth embedded in the spine of a Pteranodon) I include because they're awesome as hell.
source: doi.org/10.7717/peer...
October 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Some fossils I include in my Vertebrate Biodiversity lectures because they're important for understanding the evolutionary history of a group.
Other fossils (like this shark tooth embedded in the spine of a Pteranodon) I include because they're awesome as hell.
source: doi.org/10.7717/peer...
Other fossils (like this shark tooth embedded in the spine of a Pteranodon) I include because they're awesome as hell.
source: doi.org/10.7717/peer...
#LocalVertDiversity 28. Tree Frog (subfamily Hylinae)
Probably a Squirrel Tree Frog (Hyla squirella), but the my windows are too dirty to tell for sure from this angle. Obviously not taken while walking my dog, but since I was already over the 25 spp requirement I counted it anyways. #herps #frog
Probably a Squirrel Tree Frog (Hyla squirella), but the my windows are too dirty to tell for sure from this angle. Obviously not taken while walking my dog, but since I was already over the 25 spp requirement I counted it anyways. #herps #frog
October 29, 2025 at 3:47 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 28. Tree Frog (subfamily Hylinae)
Probably a Squirrel Tree Frog (Hyla squirella), but the my windows are too dirty to tell for sure from this angle. Obviously not taken while walking my dog, but since I was already over the 25 spp requirement I counted it anyways. #herps #frog
Probably a Squirrel Tree Frog (Hyla squirella), but the my windows are too dirty to tell for sure from this angle. Obviously not taken while walking my dog, but since I was already over the 25 spp requirement I counted it anyways. #herps #frog
Since I usually have an exam the week of Halloween, I bring in goodies (mini Play-Doh tubs, my trick-or-treat handout of choice) for students to take as a prize for finishing their exam. Some get very excited and will dig though to find they favorite color. It’s good to be a kid again when you can!
October 28, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Since I usually have an exam the week of Halloween, I bring in goodies (mini Play-Doh tubs, my trick-or-treat handout of choice) for students to take as a prize for finishing their exam. Some get very excited and will dig though to find they favorite color. It’s good to be a kid again when you can!
There was a large mixed flock this morning that was being very vocal about something (maybe the presence of that hawk?). Here’s a clip with a closer American Crow calling (“caw”) followed by a farther away Fish Crow (“naw”) so you can hear the difference in their voices. 🪶 #birds
October 27, 2025 at 4:13 PM
There was a large mixed flock this morning that was being very vocal about something (maybe the presence of that hawk?). Here’s a clip with a closer American Crow calling (“caw”) followed by a farther away Fish Crow (“naw”) so you can hear the difference in their voices. 🪶 #birds
#LocalVertDiversity 27. White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
Usually I see ibises in big flocks, or at least groups of 3-4, but this one was foraging in this little creek by itself, although there was a snowy egret nearby. 🪶 #birds #wildlife
Usually I see ibises in big flocks, or at least groups of 3-4, but this one was foraging in this little creek by itself, although there was a snowy egret nearby. 🪶 #birds #wildlife
October 26, 2025 at 5:40 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 27. White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
Usually I see ibises in big flocks, or at least groups of 3-4, but this one was foraging in this little creek by itself, although there was a snowy egret nearby. 🪶 #birds #wildlife
Usually I see ibises in big flocks, or at least groups of 3-4, but this one was foraging in this little creek by itself, although there was a snowy egret nearby. 🪶 #birds #wildlife
Well that’s pretty cool. I snapped a pic of an unfamiliar #flower at the park this morning. Turns out it’s only the 81st observation of Flyr’s Brickellbush (Brickellia cordifolia) in iNat, and it’s the furthest south (only by a mile or two, but still)!
October 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Well that’s pretty cool. I snapped a pic of an unfamiliar #flower at the park this morning. Turns out it’s only the 81st observation of Flyr’s Brickellbush (Brickellia cordifolia) in iNat, and it’s the furthest south (only by a mile or two, but still)!
#LocalVertDiversity 26. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
The best way to distinguish Snowys is their black legs with bright yellow feet. So of course they’re usually wading in vegetation and won’t let you get a good look at their feet. This one was being unusually cooperative, though! #birds #wildlife
The best way to distinguish Snowys is their black legs with bright yellow feet. So of course they’re usually wading in vegetation and won’t let you get a good look at their feet. This one was being unusually cooperative, though! #birds #wildlife
October 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 26. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
The best way to distinguish Snowys is their black legs with bright yellow feet. So of course they’re usually wading in vegetation and won’t let you get a good look at their feet. This one was being unusually cooperative, though! #birds #wildlife
The best way to distinguish Snowys is their black legs with bright yellow feet. So of course they’re usually wading in vegetation and won’t let you get a good look at their feet. This one was being unusually cooperative, though! #birds #wildlife
#LocalVertDiversity 25. Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Unlike the alligator, which I legitimately didn’t see until species #20, I see squirrels every day but just kind of forgot that I should take a picture to include them in the project until species #25. Whoops. #wildlife #nature
Unlike the alligator, which I legitimately didn’t see until species #20, I see squirrels every day but just kind of forgot that I should take a picture to include them in the project until species #25. Whoops. #wildlife #nature
October 23, 2025 at 3:22 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 25. Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Unlike the alligator, which I legitimately didn’t see until species #20, I see squirrels every day but just kind of forgot that I should take a picture to include them in the project until species #25. Whoops. #wildlife #nature
Unlike the alligator, which I legitimately didn’t see until species #20, I see squirrels every day but just kind of forgot that I should take a picture to include them in the project until species #25. Whoops. #wildlife #nature
#LocalVertDiversity 24. Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
This was a definite balancing act between “get close enough that the photo isn’t just a black blob” and “don’t get so close that my dog will start barking at the big birds (one of her favorite hobbies) and scare them off.” #wildlife #birds
This was a definite balancing act between “get close enough that the photo isn’t just a black blob” and “don’t get so close that my dog will start barking at the big birds (one of her favorite hobbies) and scare them off.” #wildlife #birds
October 22, 2025 at 12:46 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 24. Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
This was a definite balancing act between “get close enough that the photo isn’t just a black blob” and “don’t get so close that my dog will start barking at the big birds (one of her favorite hobbies) and scare them off.” #wildlife #birds
This was a definite balancing act between “get close enough that the photo isn’t just a black blob” and “don’t get so close that my dog will start barking at the big birds (one of her favorite hobbies) and scare them off.” #wildlife #birds
I read Laurie Andersen's The Darkling Bride last weekend and it was a perfect spooky season read (despite being set in April, I think?). A great mix of modern cold case mystery, Victorian tragedy, and Gothic ghost story, all set in a Norman castle in Ireland. Definitely recommended. #books 📚💙
October 19, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I read Laurie Andersen's The Darkling Bride last weekend and it was a perfect spooky season read (despite being set in April, I think?). A great mix of modern cold case mystery, Victorian tragedy, and Gothic ghost story, all set in a Norman castle in Ireland. Definitely recommended. #books 📚💙
If you say “phobias caused by the Final Destination movies,” everyone of a certain age is going to go directly to the log trucks. But they’re also the reason I still leave my old checked baggage tags attached to my suitcase until I get to the airport.
October 18, 2025 at 9:19 PM
If you say “phobias caused by the Final Destination movies,” everyone of a certain age is going to go directly to the log trucks. But they’re also the reason I still leave my old checked baggage tags attached to my suitcase until I get to the airport.